Is COVID19 Going to Affect The Way We Travel
Currently, The Covid19 crisis has affected everyone in every country in someway or another. This includes travel plans, jobs, daily life, and more tragically, even the loss of life for some due to complications from Covid19. As terrible as this whole pandemic is world wide, we are essentially in this together.
The one question on everyone’s mind is however, “what will life be like after this is all said and done?” More importantly, how will the Covid19 outbreak affect future traveling experiences?
Airlines Coping With Covid19
When the Covid19 Virus first broke out in Wuhan, China, US Airlines began cancelling service to destinations in China, Delta being the first. Many other worldwide airlines began limiting service and cancelling their flights as well. Simply thinking they could limit the global spread. Unfortunately, that didn’t work.
We are now seeing airlines go belly up and file for bankruptcy protection. Or seeing airlines completely restructure themselves and their loyalty programs or just liquidate and completely walk away.
At the beginning of the US Covid19 outbreak, we were seeing flights at rock bottom prices or wide open Biz/first Class Award Space to almost anywhere. Shoot, I was finding transcontinental flights in the US for as low as $26 one way! Now, as I look to see what insane adventure I can go on, even flying from LAX to Texas for a haircut, I’m looking at $536 RT minimum. I am still seeing deals in late summer, and the prices spike again around late fall and Thanksgiving. But to predict upcoming prices at this point is really anyone’s guess.
Airlines have consolidated their flights on popular routes to maybe 1 or 2 flights a day or even less frequently. They have gone as far as to expire less popular routes as well.
For passengers who are still traveling as of now, you can be sure that you will be required to wear a face mask during your flight. Airlines are even trying to guarantee social distancing by blocking out the middle seat. Although, according to some passengers on United flights, that hasn’t been happening. They have been seeing full flights. Airlines state they are incorporating deeper cleaning as well.
Airline Loyalty Programs Being Affected
With airlines going belly up your points and miles that you have are at risk. This is exactly why I preach getting transferable points credit cards, which you can transfer points from a bank to an airline loyalty program. Unlike airlines that can devalue their points currency at a moments notice, banks that issue points currency are a lot more stable.
We have seen Avianca Airlines file for chapter 11 bankruptcy recently and Virgin Australia go to administration and just recently even Thai Airways! Luckily, their loyalty programs, LifeMiles and Velocity will not be going anywhere. They are both separate entities from their airlines, fortunately (Unknown at this time what Thai Airways will do, but a restructuring is in order). However we have seen airlines like United devalue their Mileageplus points and turn partner award flights into a dynamic pricing. Virgin Atlantic is currently up for sale as well and going to be re-structuring the airline.
What this means is your points you have earned with an airline are not safe. It is better to use them and plan out an itinerary sooner than later. Again, the point I make with using transferable points credit cards like those you can get from Chase. Those points tend to hold their value way more than airline miles. With almost wide open premium award availability as of right now, it would be wise to use your miles you have to book a trip. Velocity (Virgin Austrailia’s loyalty program) suspended the use of points and even redeeming those miles for gift cards when that airline went into administration. That was until May 15th, when they allowed bookings again using miles for domestic flights starting September 1, 2020.
Cleaner Cabin Spaces
You wouldn’t believe how nasty airline seats can get. Ok, maybe some of you sit and contemplate “Who the Ef sat in this seat before?” PassengerShaming showcases some of the gnarliest unsanitary situations aboard a plane.
The good thing is, airlines re doing their absolute best to disinfect and clean like they have never done before. I’m not saying this is full proof, but they are doing what they can to help keep their passengers safe from disease. Bravo!
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices have literally gone from dirt cheap to ridiculously expensive and then somewhat reasonable. I have been seeing tons of deals for traveling in the fall, winter and spring of next year. The airlines are doing what they can to stimulate travel amongst customers. Most of you are hesitant to buy on the assumption that COVID19 spikes again. However, you can rest assured with airlines waiving change fees or cancelation fees. But before booking, it would be wise to double check if you fall into that category. (Read the fine print of your ticket claus).
Airport Lounge Service
If you have a premium credit card like the Citi Prestige, Chase reserve, or Amex Platinum, or another card that offers a form of lounge access with a Priority Pass, things could be very different. Right now, many lounges are closed. But when they re-open, we could see anything from a la carte dining, or staff attending to passengers more and doing away with buffet style or self serve style eating and drinking. Could it be that we just start seeing more pre-packaged meals? Truthfully, I am hoping things go back to what they were.
Bottom Line
At this point, everything is still up in the air (no pun intended). Countries have not even begun opening up yet and lifting their travel bans, though it will happen. I have plans to travel internationally myself in the fall. I plan on doing it. What happens by then with COVID19 is anyone’s guess. Building a healthy amount of points however, WITH Transferable Points Cards and staying on top of airfare deals for places you want to travel is the best advice I can give. Be ready to jump on deals and open award space. Also, be prepared for traveling in a different way than you are normally used to traveling.
